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HOW TO WATCH 
& UNDERSTAND 

FOOTBALL 

BYt^ 

PERCY D. HAUGHTON 

Harvard Coach, 1908-1916 




MARSHALL JONES COMPANY 
BOSTON 
1922 



1 vJ 



.HV 



COPYRIGHT'I922'BY 
MARSHALL JONES COMPANY 



Gift 

Dr. Joseph Mayer 
Apr. 27,1937 



THE PLIMPTON PRESS 'NORWOOD 'MASSACHUSETTS 



PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 



FOOTBALL 

and How to Watch It 



CHAPTER I 
How to Watch and Understand Football 

ARE you ready, Harvard?" " Are you ready, 
Yale? " The referee blows his whistle. 
It is a supreme moment. The pent-up feelings of 
the past year are suddenly released and one is brought 
face to face with the realization that within the coming 
two hours the pendulum of the Fates will swing either 
to victory or defeat. 

Oh, the glory of victory! The heroes it produces, 
the congratulations it calls forth ! The supreme happi- 
ness and intense satisfaction entailed more than repay 
all the preparation and the strain of a season's work; 
and besides, the world loves a winner. 

In utter contrast, consider the sting of defeat. We 
have all seen the crestfallen players limping dejectedly 
from the field, but the real, dull pain of defeat comes 
after the physical weariness has worn off, when the 
mind persists in reverting to that everlasting " if." 
" If," soliloquizes the Coach, " I had not been swayed 
by others but had only planned my defense according 



4 Football and How to Watch It 



to my own judgment, that winning play of our oppo- 
nents would never have been successful." 

" If," moans each of the players, " I had only done 
so and so, they would never have licked us." 

So the wound is constantly kept open and before a 
healthy cure can be effected there follows a distinct 
tendency toward misunderstanding, lack of confidence, 
and sometimes actual dissension in the camp of the van- 
quished. It is a wretched situation. 

If it is one of the big final games of the season to 
which we are going, I trust we have allowed plenty of 
time on account of the congestion of traffic — the neck 
of the bottle — which always occurs at the approach 
to the field, and have arrived at least twenty minutes 
ahead of the scheduled time of the game. 

Now this is an extremely difficult feat to accomplish, 
as our gracious hostess insists on delaying luncheon 
until her entire party has arrived, and our convivial 
host will not be dissuaded from " showing us a little 
attention." Other little five-minute delays keep crop- 
ping up and before we realize it, we are caught in the 
maelstrom of the crowd and, after a thorough bump- 
ing about among people who all seem to be unusually 
large and good-naturedly rough, we arrive too late for 
the opening play of the game. 

Let us assume, however, that we have arrived in good 
season. The choicest seats are naturally considered 
to be at midfield, although if one has drawn a goal- 
line seat great consolation is often derived from the 
fact that the most vital play of the game happens 
right " under one's nose." 



How to Watch and Understand Football 5 



Few people realize what a tremendous coigne of van- 
tage is gained by viewing the game from a height 
sufficient to obtain an aero-view, so that one player's 
body does not hide another's. The players are thus 
diagramed, as it were, and seen from a position far 
enough removed to include in the field of vision all the 
members of both teams when lined up in scrimmage 
formation, except those players of the defense who 
are stationed thirty to forty yards back of the scrim- 
mage line. But one should understand that, at this 
distance, the speed of the players is not so apparent, 
and one does not see individual facial expressions nor 
hear the impact of contending players as plainly as 
from the sideline seats. Nevertheless, for a compre- 
hensive view and understanding of the game as a 
whole, I strongly recommend the elevated location. 

When once in your seat note the position of the score 
board so that when the game begins you can readily 
ascertain what down it is and how much distance 
must be gained; then, when the teams come on the field 
for preliminary practice, pick out the noted players by 
comparing the numbers they wear with your program. 
Watch the style and performance of the various 
punters and, when the elevens line up for signal prac- 
tice, note the offensive arrangement of the two elevens. 

While the teams are warming up, it is interesting 
to consider that those players out there, although 
they look like gladiators in their football togs, are 
mere boys from eighteen to twenty-two years old. 
They have been through weeks of steady practice 
under the direction of expert coaches, sometimes hard 



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Plate III. A SLANT OUTSIDE OF TACKLE 



A 

TWO interferers have put the left defensive end (i) 
completely out of commission. He may be seen on 
the ground at the left of the picture. Two more 
interferers are protecting the runner from the left 
tackle (2) who is recovering from contact with the 
line. 

As the runner is swerving outward these interferers 
will probably go against the defense halfbacks and 
the player on the extreme right will also be men- 
aced by the lineman who is approaching him. 

Two of the defense may be seen following in the 
wake of the runner. Neither will catch him but 
their position emphasizes that offensive speed is of 
vital importance. 

The offense here has acquired tremendous superiority 
over the defense. 

Yale vs. Harvard 1Q21. 

A SWEEP FROM OPEN FORMATION 

B 

THE results are very similar to those shown in the 
upper picture. Here again the offense have shut off 
the defense right end (1), have boxed the left tackle 
(2) leaving three interferers free ahead of the 
runner. Notice the splendid piece of interference 
against player (3). 

The runner is carrying the ball in his hands. He has 
evidently " faked " a forward pass, which accounts 
for the hesitating positions of the second and third 
line of defense. They have been forced to guard 
their respective zones until they could diagnose the 
nature of the play. They will now have a difficult 
task to stop the runner who is so thoroughly screened 
by interferers. 

This play gained fifteen yards, the runner being forced 
out of bounds on the farther side of the field. 
Harvard vs. Centre College 1Q20. 

[7] 



8 Football and How to Watch It 



taskmasters, gruelling drills in fair and foul weather, 
and long scrimmages which have tested the temper 
and calibre of each man. They have kept strict train- 
ing. They have been told what to eat and what not 
to eat, smoking has been forbidden and regular hours 
insisted upon. In short, they are in as perfect physi- 
cal and mental condition as careful supervision and 
common sense can insure. 

The mental attitude is of extreme importance. 
Many hours have been spent by the coaches on the 
psychology of the game and in getting the boys into 
the frame of mind that knows no fear, in instilling the 
spirit of fight, clean, manly fight, without which no 
big game is ever won, and in giving them confidence 
in their own ability, yet stopping short of the 
point of overconfidence, always a very difficult thing 
to do. 

It also should be remembered that those boys know 
something more than how to kick a ball and run with 
it. They have been chosen for their brains as well 
as for their brawn. It is obvious that they know their 
own plays and can execute them like clockwork; but 
it is not always appreciated that for many weeks be- 
fore the big game, those men, besides perfecting their 
own play, have to learn and absorb the style of play 
of their opponents. That knowledge, of course, is 
brought to the coaching staff by those who have seen 
the opponents in action, and it is imparted to the 
players by means of blackboard talks with elaborate 
diagrams, and, frequently, in the larger colleges, for 
a week or two before the big games, the second team 



How to Watch and Understand Football 9 



is schooled in the style of play to be used by the oppo- 
nents and is sent against the varsity in practice games 
every afternoon. 

When the brief preliminary practice is finished both 
teams usually withdraw from the field until within a 
few minutes of the scheduled time of play, while the 
cheering sections have their turn, followed by a general 
settling down in anticipation of the game. Look 
about you in this interim. Behold the serried tiers of 
humanity, every seat occupied by an intensely parti- 
san spectator. Observe the color effect of flags, ladies' 
hats and the flowers worn by both men and women 
slightly dimmed by a film of smoke from thousands 
of cigars and cigarettes. It is a most impressive 
spectacle. 

As the time approaches " zero " hour, there are a 
few minutes of awesome hush which spreads rapidly 
over the amphitheatre and one can feel one's nerves 
beginning to tingle in anticipation of the appearance 
of the teams. Of a sudden there is a slight stir about 
the portal where the players are to make their entry. 
Those nearby crane forward. The police push aside 
the crowd and, like lions loosed, one team — forty 
strong — bounds into the arena. On the instant pan- 
demonium breaks loose. In the midst of and above 
the tumult an organized cheer — the best of the whole 
afternoon, one that rakes the spine and vibrates in 
every nerve-center — is given for the heroes. 

Few spectators realize what a tremendous inspiration 
this is to the players. Many people think that cheers 
are only stage-play. They are not; in fact, well- 



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12 Football and How to Watch It 



conducted cheers at the proper time are indispensable 
to the morale of the players. 

A moment after the entrance of the first team a 
like scene is enacted on the opposite side of the field, 
and after the respective captains have shaken hands 
in midfield and the referee tossed a coin for choice 
of goal, the two teams rush onto the field and take 
position for the opening play. 

Before the game actually begins, however, it may be 
helpful to describe briefly some of the principles upon 
which football is based and some of the fine points, — 
sometimes termed " inside stuff " — not readily under- 
stood by the average spectator. Note that I say " aver- 
age " and the term is used advisedly, for it includes 
men who have not made a study of the game and an 
ever-increasing number of women who witness football 
contests in blissful ignorance not only of the higher 
technique, but even of the simplest rudiments. To 
them I trust these points will not only be enlighten- 
ing but will add zest to their interest. I should men- 
tion that this section contains only a brief description. 
The full subject with reference to its history and 
present status, the offense and defense, and the 
mental, moral, physical and medical aspects of the 
sport, will be discussed later. 

I warn you that parts of this chapter may appear 
to be frightfully serious and complex, but we are 
dealing with a game properly described by these ad- 
jectives and if you really want to enjoy the game you 
had best make up your mind that certain principles 
must be clearly understood and a great many A B C's 



How to Watch and Understand Football 13 



digested before you really " know what the game is 
all about " and before you can recognize good play 
from bad. 

So let us start our lesson with the following expla- 
nation. The team in possession of the ball is termed 
the " Offense " and the side not in possession of it the 
" Defense." These expressions will be used through- 
out to designate the team referred to. 

The tactics employed by the offense to advance the 
ball are known as the attack, which is made by means 
of (1) Rushing, (2) Forward Passing, (3) Kicking 
and (4) by Deception, or by a combination of any two 
of the above. These salient arms of attack are sub- 
divided as follows: 

1. The Rush, into: 

0. Plunges, which comprise all plays of a straight- 
ahead nature, the great majority of which are directed 
at or between the two guards on the defense and 
usually executed by the heaviest player in the offen- 
sive backfield. Plays of this class should gain a short 
distance consistently. 

b. Slants, those plays which are directed on either 
side of the defensive tackles, the majority of which 
should gain a greater distance, but not so consistently 
as plunges. Small losses occur at times. 

c. Sweeps, which are, as the word indicates, plays 
directed at the flanks of the defense wherein the fast- 
est back is used to carry the ball. Sometimes called 
" long gainers " — lacking in the consistency of slants 
and subject to greater losses. 

d. Reverse plays, which comprise all plays which 



14 Football and How to Watch It 



change their direction and are of a deceptive char- 
acter, to which may be added trick plays that 
have for their chief value the element of surprise. 
Wholly lacking in consistency, they are eminently 
successful in a small percentage of the number of 
times tried. 

2. The Forward Pass, which may be grouped into: 

a. Short, swift tosses to a point about on the ex- 
tended scrimmage lines. 

b. Throws directed into spaces or zones between the 
wing halfbacks on the defense. 

c. Long heaves directed away from such defensive 
players as are stationed say twenty-five to thirty yards 
back of the scrimmage^ line. 

Forward Passes are all dangerous as they are sus- 
ceptible to interception by the defense. They are, 
however, an invaluable weapon of attack not only 
as a means of gaining distance, but also as a constant 
threat, thus weakening the defense against rushes 
and kicks. 

3. The Kick, divided into: 

a. The Punt, which is usually executed at a point 
from eight to ten yards back of the scrimmage line. 
It is invariably employed in lieu of the surrender of 
the ball on downs. It should average say thirty-five 
yards net gain. 

b. The Drop, or Placement Kick, made from a sim- 
ilar position and for the purpose of scoring a field goal. 
The placement kick is also used after a fair catch 
for try at field goal. At the start of the game, the 
second half, and after every score it must be used as 



How to Watch and Understand Football 15 



a means of putting the ball into play, but no goal can 
be scored from it. 

A team is well equipped if it has in its repertoire 
about twenty-five plays, apportioned as follows: 

16 rushes, consisting of 10 plunges, slants and 
sweeps, 3 reverse plays, and 3 tricks, 

7 Forward Passes. 

2 Kicks. 

Some teams have as many as forty plays, but far better 
is it to have a few plays well learned, for it is the 
execution rather than the nature of the play which 
makes it successful. 

In order that the above plays be utilized to their 
utmost effectiveness, it is usual that the offense employ 
three to four different formations as follows: 

1. Close formation, from which a strong running 
attack by rushing is to be expected, but from which 
forward passing may develop (Diagram 1). 

2. Open, or kick formation, which has wider scope 
in rushing, notably sweeps, but which maintains in- 
herent strength both in plunges and slants as well as 
forward passing (Diagram 2). 

3. Loose formation, wherein one or more of the 
backfields are placed where they can be of better ser- 
vice as interferers on slant plays and also to better 
advantage for receiving forward passes (Diagram 3). 

4. Wide formation, used by certain teams to throw 
defense into confusion, thus obtaining an opening for 
either a forward pass or a rush (Diagram 4). 

We have now reached a point where it is necessary 
to consider some of the rules which govern the game. 



1 6 Football and How to Watch It 



I regret this for it is dry stuff (so is law or the rules of 
any game) but I'll omit much and skip through the 
rest as briefly as possible. Be it understood then that 
in the use of its weapons of attack, the offense is 
confined by many rules in the deployment of their 
players, the chief of which are that when the ball is 
put in play: 

a. At least seven men must be on the line of scrim- 
mage. 

b. Only one player may be in motion and that one 
under certain restrictions. 

c. If a forward pass is tried, only the players on the 
ends of the scrimmage line, and such other players 
as are at least one yard or more behind the line of 
scrimmage when the ball is snapped, are eligible to 
receive such pass, and further: 

d. The pass must be delivered from a distance of 
at least five yards behind said scrimmage line. 

In the conduct of their players the offense are also 
hampered by rules which state that: 

a. When contact with opponents takes place, i.e., 
blocking and interfering, they shall not use their 
hands nor arms except as part of their bodies. This 
rule, however, does not include the player carrying the 
ball, usually termed the runner. An infraction of this 
rule constitutes holding. 

b. "Thou shalt not clip, trip, nor crawl," to say 
nothing of minor rules whose infraction brings penal- 
ties involving the loss of distance ranging from five 
yards to fifteen yards. 

c. " Thou shalt not fumble," roars the Coach. 



How to Watch and Understand Football 17 



These manifold and severe penalties incurring loss 
of distance, and fumbles causing loss of the ball, to 
say nothing of intercepted forward passes, create a 
" bugbear " for the offense. In fact it is so difficult 
for eleven men on the offense to conduct themselves 
within the many rules which confine them, with the 
possible loss of ball through fumbles and intercepted 
forward passes plus the stubbornness of the defense, 
that it is improbable that one team can gain in a 
series of plays more than thirty-five to forty yards. 
This fact must be seriously considered among the gen- 
eral principles of offense as applied to the theory of 
the attack. 

In striking contrast to the confinement of the offense 
is the freedom of the defense, which may take position 
in any form desired, nor are they restricted in the 
use of their hands, except of the closed fist, in their 
endeavor to avoid their opponents, provided they 
make actual attempt to reach the player who is carry- 
ing the ball. 

To be sure, the defense as well as the offense are 
subject to penalty for being offside, for unnecessary 
roughness, and for hindering the opponents from 
catching a forward pass, unless in so doing they are 
making an actual attempt to catch the ball themselves; 
but aside from these and minor restrictions they are 
practically immune from penalties. 

However, just as there are offensive strategic prin- 
ciples, so the defense is governed by certain tactical 
axioms which must be added to the factors which 
cause victory or defeat (see Diagrams). 



1 8 Football and How to Watch It 



It is quite impossible in this chapter to give a full 
description of offensive strategy, nor are there at all 
times set rules which govern the quarterback's de- 
cision, but it is well to point out a few of the salient 
principles on which the theory of attack is based. 
Although at times the reasoning is somewhat close, 
yet it is essential that the spectator obtain a brief 
outline of the subject, as without it the whys and 
wherefores of the various offensive manoeuvres are 
meaningless. 

Let us, then, begin with the statement that unless 
the offense advance with the ball in their possession 
ten yards or more in four or less consecutive attempts, 
they must surrender the ball to the defense. Having 
this as the sole object, how had they best proceed to 
accomplish the desired result? 

In the discussion which follows, it is assumed that 
both teams are of about equal strength in the various 
departments of the game. If this be true, how, then, 
can one team ever defeat its opponent? By errors of 
commission and omission which creep into the play 
of one or the other. An axiom which has held true 
for years is " Other things being equal, the team which 
makes the fewest mistakes usually wins." Let us at 
once add this to the growing list of factors which 
result in success or failure. 

Now let us for the moment step into the shoes, or 
rather look into the brain, of the offensive quarter- 
back and view the kind of precepts which are stored 
there. Mind you, this is only the A B C of quarter- 
back training, which varies in elasticity even as the 



How to Watch and Understand Football 19 



conventions of Auction Bridge. In Auction, condi- 
tions are constantly changing because not only are 
there different cards in every deal, but one's decision 
is always dependent upon such things as whether the 
player is dealing, or sits number two, three, or four 
position, also upon the score and whether it is " free 
double/' and so on. 

Or again, perhaps a better comparison is the simi- 
larity of strategy employed in baseball, wherein the 
actions of the pitcher and batter are governed with 
reference to the number of strikes and balls on the 
batter, the ability of the next batter, how many and 
on what bases the runners are, how many are out and 
what is the score and inning. 

Apply these principles to football and we get the 
elasticity of judgment required of the quarterback. 
It always devolves upon him, with a warp of long 
training and a woof of common sense, to weave the 
various component factors into a fabric which shall 
fit the exigencies of every situation. With this as 
a background, the quarterback's Bible begins as 
follows: 

In the selection of each and every play he must 
consider : 

1. Climatic conditions which include the direction 
and velocity of the wind, the position of the sun, and 
the condition of the field of play, i.e., whether the 
footing is sure or slippery. 

2. The position of the ball on the field of play, i.e., 
with respect to the goal line and side lines. 

3. Which down it is and how much distance must 
be gained in order to obtain a first down. 




2 



H 



Plate VII. A FORWARD PASS 



THE player (i) at extreme left of the upper picture 
has made pretense of kicking thus drawing several 
defense linemen towards him. He has succeeded 
further in " freezing " the defense backfield, i.e., 
causing them to remain stationary until the nature 
of the play has been divulged. 

Meanwhile, an offensive player (2), who is eligible to 
receive the pass, may be seen sneaking towards the 
opposite sideline. 

The defense backfield (3) have just recognized this 
fact and are on their way to recover their momen- 
tary disadvantage. 

The ball is already in flight and it would appear that, 
provided the pass were accurate, a long gain would 
result. 



THE lower picture shows the same play from a differ- 
ent angle at the moment when the receiver (2) 
caught the ball. 

The time consumed while the ball was in flight gave 
the defending halfback (3) opportunity to make up 
for his shortcomings of a few seconds earlier. Thus 
he was able, although menaced by an interferer, to 
tackle the recipient of the pass for a gain of only 
five yards. Had he sensed the nature of the play 
earlier 9 he might have intercepted the pass. 

Forward passes of this species are for this reason 
hazardous because when they are intercepted there 
are no players of the side which put the ball in play 
in position to prevent a long run against them. 
Centre College vs. Harvard 1920. 

[21] 



22 Football and How to Watch It 



4. What the score is, and how much time there 
remains before the close of the half or the game. 

5. The distribution of the defense and its physical 
condition. 

Considering only 2 and 3 in combination the quar- 
terback is further burdened with a table of field tactics, 
which has been drummed into him daily since the 
beginning of the season, a brief outline of which runs 
as follows: 

" Unless the wind is blowing against you," reiterates 
the Coach, " whenever you are inside your own twenty 
yard line punt on the first or second down, because 
should a fumble occur and the enemy recover the 
ball, they have at once a golden opportunity to score. 

" Between your own twenty and forty yard lines, 
utilize your various kinds of sweeps, which, though 
not consistent gainers, may result in good yardage, 
but don't dare to use any forward pass which may be 
intercepted, nor any of those double passes for fear 
of a fumble. And remember, always punt on fourth 
down with more than two yards to go, because 
although you are theoretically surrendering the ball 
to your opponents, you gain thirty to forty yards in 
doing so. 

" From your own forty yard line to your opponents' 
thirty yard line you are allowed a greater choice of 
plays. Use your running attack and, by manipulating 
your formations, threaten at once the three salient 
arms of attack — the rush, forward pass, and kick. 
If your rushing tactics are successful don't vary from 
them, but if you get held up on third down with five 



How to Watch and Understand Football 23 



yards to go, slip a forward pass or one of those trick 
plays. But under no circumstances be held for 
downs. 

" If you reach your opponents' thirty yard line 
remember you are within scoring distance and con- 
centrate on that word 6 score/ Use your strongest 
rushing plays and when the defense stiffens, play your 
' ace of trumps/ and if on fourth down you are doubt- 
ful about gaining the required distance, get your three 
points by shooting a drop kick." 

Such advice, when thoroughly digested, taken in 
conjunction with the general principles which have 
been mentioned, constitute a basis for a correct selec- 
tion of plays at the proper time. 

Having waded through this theoretical side of the 
game, let us rest our wearied minds somewhat by the 
application of these theories to practical demonstra- 
tions of what actually happens during a game. 

In watching a football game, I strongly advise the 
spectator to cultivate the habit of always knowing 
the down and distance, either by memory or by refer- 
ence to the score board which we located when we 
first arrived at the field. In this way you can often 
anticipate the nature of the ensuing play especially 
if you will apply the doctrines which have been so 
forcibly impressed upon the quarterback. If we know 
it is fourth down and five yards to go, we can assume 
that the quarterback will order a kick. When it hap- 
pens, we not only feel a certain satisfaction in having 
" called " the play, but through our fore-knowledge 
we are enabled to see the play with far greater detail 



24 Football and How to Watch It 



than otherwise. I cannot emphasize the importance 
of this suggestion too strongly. 

The greatest failing of the average spectator is that 
he keeps his eyes glued to the ball, or the runner, 
during the progress of a play. In this way he misses 
entirely the eternal conflict between the offensive in- 
terferer and the defensive tackier. Now let it be 
thoroughly understood that the very essence of ground- 
gaining by rushing lies in this interference, i.e., 
clearing a path for the runner by other players of 
his side. That you may visualize the truth of this 
statement, let us for the moment assume that the 
offense consisted merely of a player to put the ball 
in play and a lone runner. The unhindered defense 
would overwhelm the runner before he could run a 
yard, kick or even pass with any accuracy. From 
this illustration, we can now see that it is solely 
through the co-operative efforts of all the eleven units 
of the offense that the various arms of attack can op- 
erate successfully. Thus when a plunge play is exe- 
cuted, it is the offensive line from tackle to tackle 
which enables the runner to reach even the line of 
scrimmage, and by its superior charge against its 
opponents enables him to squeeze through the first line 
of defense. (Plate II) Again, when a sweep is at- 
tempted, notice that usually two of the backfield are 
detailed to put the opposing end rush " out of commis- 
sion." At the same time our offensive end and tackle 
are endeavoring to " box " or flank the defensive 
tackle. The remaining back, with perhaps the assist- 
ance of a linesman, rushes through the gap outside of 



How to Watch and Understand Football 25 



this tackle to attend to the rush line halfback who 
represents the second line of defense. In this way, 
the offense has thrown six interferers against the three 
of the defense, who are most likely to stop the 
runner without gain. (Plate III) Meanwhile, other 
linemen, after they have performed their protection- 
ary assignments on the line of scrimmage, may be 
seen, ahead of the runner, harassing the wing half- 
backs, or third line of defense. Time after time, you 
may see these interferers continue these tactics after 
the runner has been thrown. (Plate IV) The aver- 
age spectator misconstrues their action either as un- 
necessary roughness or as wasted effort. Quite the 
contrary. It is their duty to engage certain of the 
defense at the moment when the runner, if untackled, 
arrives at that locality. Their eyes and attention 
being directed against their opponents, they are quite 
unable to tell whether the runner is tackled or not. 
In other words, they are performing their assignments 
irrespective of the fate of the runner, on the assump- 
tion that he will need their assistance if his path has 
been cleared to that point. Only on rare occasions 
does this occur, but when it does this interference 
on the third and even fourth line of defense converts 
a gain of say ten yards into a really long run which 
often as not results in a touchdown. 

From the Coach's point of view, these interferers 
are the real heroes of a successful offensive play, albeit 
the runner often shows skill in eluding opponents 
either by clever dodging or by the use of a " straight- 
arm." (Plate V) One frequently sees a brilliant 



26 Football and How to Watch It 



run by a noted halfback, but he who attributes a good 
gain entirely to the runner not only does injustice to 
his teammates, but also misses one of the really fine 
points of football. Therefore, let me urge that you 
keep the runner in the tail of your vision, as it were, 
and direct your main attention on what transpires 
ahead of him. 

Again, there is a strong tendency to watch the ball 
in its flight after it has been punted. In the interim, 
what occurs on the field of play? Note, before the 
ball is actually kicked, the rugged conflict between 
the onrushing defense and the offensive backs, who 
act as protectors for their kicker. (Plate VI) Were 
it not for the wall these backs thus form every at- 
tempted punt would be easily blocked. Even with 
their assistance the kicker is forced to perform his 
skillful act in a few seconds of time, else disaster will 
follow. 

On another occasion, when on account of your 
knowledge of the down and distance you are reason- 
ably sure a punt will ensue, watch the offensive ends 
begin their mad rush downfield at the snap of the ball, 
to be followed a second later by the tackles, while 
the guards and center hold their ground until all 
possibility of a blocked kick is eliminated. As the 
ends proceed, you will see the defensive wing half- 
backs, after they have made sure that a rush or pass 
is not forthcoming, make every effort to impede the 
progress of the offensive ends, ending with a final 
lunge at them just as the ball is caught. Here is in- 
terference in another form which often enables the 



How to Watch and Understand Football 27 



player catching the punt to gain yardage otherwise 
not possible. To counterbalance this interference on 
the ends, many teams send a tackle downfield at the 
snap of the ball. (Plate VI) 

Difficult as it is to see either a rush or kick in its 
entirety, it is quite impossible to visualize the great 
majority of forward passes. Not only is the intended 
direction and length of the pass unknown to the spec- 
tator, but often the very nature of the play is con- 
cealed by a pretence of the passer to do something 
else. The commonest form of thus outwitting the de- 
fense and deceiving the spectator as well, is a pretence 
of punting by the kicker, until the defense have been 
lured away from certain zones of territory, when by 
suddenly desisting from his punting motions, he is able 
to pass to one of his side at the point left vacant by 
the deluded defense. (Plate VII) Another trick which 
distresses the defense and spectator alike is when a 
clever player gives every indication of passing in one 
direction, and then suddenly hurls the ball to an un- 
noticed player in quite an opposite direction. Still 
again, a play which to all intents and purposes is a 
bona fide attempt to rush, will suddenly develop into 
a forward pass to the utter surprise of the defense. 
(Plate VIII) 

Failing then to obtain regularly a comprehensive 
view of plays of this nature, the best we can do is to 
keep the tactical situation constantly in mind, i.e., 
down and distance, and thus try to anticipate the 
play or be content to watch the passer closely and 
marvel at his cleverness and the skill of the receiver. 



28 ] 




> 
d 

GO 

> 

GO 
CJ 

o 
o 
w 

GO 
(75 

a 

tr 1 
o 

> 
d 

> 

00 
00 



Plate IX. A CRISS-CROSS RUN 
A 

IN the top picture, the play was taken at the moment 
when the ball was being passed from one player (i) 
moving towards the camera to another player (2) 
going in the opposite direction. 

Notice that the defense line has been momentarily 
blocked in order that the players engaged in the 
delicate operation just described might be thor- 
oughly protected. 

Meanwhile interference is forming against the de- 
fensive right end (3). The defensive back field are 
shown in various degrees of uncertainty. 



B 

THE lower picture shows the same play, after the 
runner (2) is ivell under way and the defense in 
full cry after him. 

The defensive right end (3) and tackle (4) are seen 
sprawling on the ground, leaving the runner with 
a valuable interferer ahead of him, to combat fi- 
nally with the three defense backfield who are now 
fully aware of the final direction of the play. The 
play thus resolves into a race for the farther side 
line between them and the runner. 

Note apprehension shown by attitude of man with 
white hat. 

Centre College vs. Harvard 1920. 



[29] 



30 Football and How to Watch It 



So far we have considered certain phrases from the 
offensive point of view only. We have learned that 
although practically every player on the offense is 
subject to a tremendous physical exertion in every 
play, yet he has the great advantage of knowing, 
through the medium of numerical signals, which of 
his team is to handle the ball, where the play is to 
be directed, and in case a starting signal is used when 
the ball is to be put into play. 

The defense, on the other hand, have no knowledge 
of any of these all-important factors which in itself 
constitutes its greatest problem. Although the line- 
men are subject to great physical strain during every 
play, yet they and the entire backfield undergo at all 
times tremendous mental uncertainty as to what the 
offense is going to do next. By reference to the dia- 
grams we can see how the various offensive formations 
are at once answered by a corresponding shift in the 
distribution of the defense, but having thus theoret- 
ically prepared for any move the offense may make, 
the moment the ball is put in play they are at once 
subjected to many pitfalls. Could they but recognize 
the signals, no offensive move would be successful. 
They must, however, remain in ignorance of its na- 
ture not only before the play begins, but for an appre- 
ciable time after it starts. 

It is this necessary hesitancy of action which gives 
to the offense an initial advantage best illustrated by 
the cohesive charge of the offensive line. Were the 
opposing linemen certain of a plunging type of play 
they could easily meet the attack with little or no 



How to Watch and Understand Football 31 



gain, but the defensive tackle, for instance, has learned 
that he cannot afford always to plunge headlong at 
the apex of a play apparently aimed well to his left, 
because bitter experience has taught him that the play 
may, by a change of direction, develop to his right. 
So also an end must always beware of the dreaded 
criss-cross play which starts toward one end and 
by the concealed passage of the ball from one 
player to another develops in the opposite direction. 
(Plate IX) 

Consider the predicament of a wing halfback who 
sees the runner dashing toward the flank which he is 
guarding. If the play is really a rush, he should move 
forward to tackle the runner before he has gained 
material distance. If, however, the play develops 
into a forward pass, it is his bounden duty to locate 
the player who is to receive the pass and to be in a 
proper position to intercept it. He is between the 
devil and the deep sea. In fact were it not for the 
rule which compels the offense to execute a forward 
pass at least five yards behind a line where the ball 
is put in play his position would be quite untenable. 

At other times, when the forthcoming forward pass 
and the apparent receiver are patent to him, by fol- 
lowing the receiver, who in reality is simply a decoy, 
he is enticed away from the locality where the pass 
will be caught by another and real receiver. That 
plays of this nature may not be consistently success- 
ful the defense, although sacrificing material strength 
on the line of scrimmage by so doing, are rapidly 
learning to withdraw their center some five yards from 



32 Football and How to Watch It 



the line and thus support the wing halfbacks in ques- 
tion, under such conditions as described. 

This man who occupies the center position is well 
worth watching, individually, for he is called upon, 
against close running plays, to cope with the rugged 
work in the line. He must be fast enough to 
render immediate support to both tackle and end 
if playing as a rush line halfback, and under 
certain systems he must be sufficiently wise to control 
correctly the entire scheme of defense. In this respect, 
whether under his direction or not, the defense is 
governed by the same principles which determine the 
offensive strategy. We have learned that the offense 
quarterback is constantly influenced in his choice of 
plays by the down and distance to be gained, that if 
on fourth down there is but a scant yard to go 
for first down he will most likely rush and pre- 
sumably use a plunging type of play. If third down 
and more than five yards to go he will tend towards 
the use of the forward pass. But if on fourth down 
and ten yards to go, unless some unusual circumstances 
exist, he will order a punt or else look forward to a 
bad half hour with an enraged coach. 

Conversely, the defense is trained in the same line 
of thought, so that whatever formation the offense 
assumes, the defense not only respond with the proper 
theoretical formations, but direct their main attention 
towards coping with the kind of play (kick, rush, 
or pass) the offense will probably employ. 

Reference to the diagrams shows the usual varia- 
tions of defense, but all teams do not assume the 



How to Watch and Understand Football 33 



positions as drawn, so that the spectator should be 
constantly alert in noting the defensive formations, 
particularly when the offense threatens to punt. See 
if the defense responds by placing one or two men 
back to receive the kick. The main reason why they 
do not always put two men at full distance is for fear 
of a forward pass into a zone some ten to fifteen yards 
directly back from the line of scrimmage. A player 
is sorely needed at this point when a play of this 
nature is executed. On the other hand, one man 
alone against a punt cannot cover the width of the 
field, and an accurate punter will always take ad- 
vantage of this fact by placing his kicks to one side. 
Or, should the punt come to him on the fly and he 
muff it, none of his side are near enough to render 
immediate assistance in recovering the ball. The spec- 
tator should realize that this " handling " of punts is 
of the most vital importance to the defense. Under 
the most favorable conditions it is an extremely diffi- 
cult feat, but when the catcher is pitted against a 
spiral punt with wind and sun to complicate matters 
and fully aware that the instant he catches the ball 
there will be two or three opponents ready to bang 
him to the ground, know that it takes skill and a stout 
heart to combat this play successfully during the full 
hour's play. 

If a muff does occur and the offense recover, it 
constitutes what is termed a " Break," that is, when 
the usual scheme of play is marred by an error of 
commission or omission of one of the players. As 
has been stated it is mistakes of this kind which often 



34 Football and How to Watch It 



win or lose a football game. Perhaps the worst 
break which can happen against a team is for the 
opponents to block a punt and recover the ball. It 
is not only the actual distance lost, but the psycho- 
logical effect upon the offending team which plays such 
havoc. 

Another type of break occurs when a team is gaining 
steadily and as they are approaching the enemy's 
goal (on third down) are penalized for holding. It 
often happens that the rush during which this infrac- 
tion occurred gained a good ten yards and would have 
made a first down. Instead, the offending team is set 
back fifteen yards and the down remains the same, so 
that instead of first down on the opponent's fifteen yard 
line it is now third down on their forty yard line 
with twenty-five yards to gain. Thus the opportunity 
of scoring has been completely wiped out by the mis- 
take of one individual. 

Intercepted forward passes are the most spectacular 
form of break, because the play, from being a near- 
success, sometimes results in utter disaster. It is 
because of this " boomerang " effect that the offense 
use the forward pass so sparingly in their own ter- 
ritory. 

At every game of football there sits, usually within 
earshot, an individual who persists in venting his 
feelings against the players on the field by a continu- 
ous line of " chatter." His creed appears to be that 
if his team gains or prevents their opponents from gain- 
ing, all is well. But when one of his team apparently 
misses a tackle, he sums up the situation by the word 



Hozv to Watch and Understand Football 35 



" rotten." That man, and thank Heaven, this kind of 
person is confined to the male gender, either has never 
played football himself, or else is ignorant of the fact 
that tackles have been, are, and will be missed as 
long as football is played. Further, he fails to 
discern that most tackles are missed, not through the 
clumsiness of the would-be tackier, but through the 
cleverness of the runner. On another occasion when 
our interferers failed to " clean up " the opposing end 
rush, he caustically remarks " pretty bum attempt," 
not in the least recognizing that the end in question had 
by the use of his hand on the interferers' bodies, 
succeeded in ridding himself of them and by a su- 
perb tackle, downed the runner for a loss. The 
lesson he should learn then, is to give credit when and 
where it properly belongs. 

A penalty for holding is incurred by our team. The 
referee with ball in hand, starts pacing off fifteen 
yards. " Robber! " yells our sportsmanlike neighbor. 
Aside from his unseemly remark, he is evidently igno- 
rant of the fact that it is the umpire who inflicts 
penalties of this nature and that in this case, the 
referee is simply carrying out the verdict of the um- 
pire. Be it known then, that the main duties of the 
referee have to do with the movement of the ball, 
while those of the umpire assisted by the field judge, 
have jurisdiction over the conduct of the players. The 
decisions of the officials are always given honestly 
and in the great majority of cases, correctly. Booing 
or complaining of their actions has no place in any 
amateur sport, albeit that it seems to have become a 



36 Football and How to Watch It 



privilege for the frenzied fan at professional baseball 
games. 

This same individual is also apt to criticise loudly 
the quarterback for not doing otherwise than he did. 
Comes a critical situation. Which of the three arms of 
attack shall our quarterback employ? A kick, run 
or pass? He decides on one and the defense com- 
pletely foil the attempt. Mr. Know-it-all at once 
shrieks his disapproval, " punk judgment." 

To him I address the following: Kindly realize that 
the quarterback is a mere boy of twenty odd years; 
that, like as not, this is his first championship game 
(under the present eligibility rules, it cannot be more 
than his third) ; that he has been playing almost an 
hour against a rough and rugged team and has re- 
ceived many blows and hard falls that would have 
made either you or me quit long ago, that although 
he has had intensive training in the comparative quiet 
of secret practice, yet please know that it is quite a dif- 
ferent matter to put into effect what has been taught 
him when eleven burly opponents are, figuratively 
speaking, endeavoring to beat his brains out and fifty 
to seventy thousand people are helping him to think 
straight by yelling their heads off. 

And, finally, Mr. Smarty, that you may to some 
small degree appreciate the stress under which he is 
working, I give you for correct solution the following 
problem: Assume that you are standing in that 
quarterback's shoes; that your team has, by virtue 
of superhuman effort, or through your own cleverness, 
if you prefer, reached the enemy's two yard line. The 



How to Watch and Understand Football 37 



position of the ball is unfortunately well toward the 
sideline; it is fourth down and the goal line to go. 
The score is 6 to 3 against you and the Field Judge has 
just told you that there is less than two minutes to play 
in the final period of the game. 

Let me assist you in your reasoning, as you stand 
there with your reputation quaking in the balance. 
You will notice that the enemy's line is greatly rein- 
forced by two halfbacks who have quite rightly sta- 
tioned themselves directly behind their two tackles, 
and look at the do or die expression on the faces of 
those three center men. The flanks are also strength- 
ened by two wing halfbacks, who because the forward 
pass zone is restricted to ten yards beyond the goal 
line, have wisely taken position much nearer the scrim- 
mage line than usual. But " take it from me " all 
four of the enemy's back field are on the alert for a 
forward pass into that narrow strip of legal territory 
and remember it is only necessary for them to 
bat the ball away from your receivers to constitute 
a touch back, in which case your goose is cooked. 
Somehow, the space between the goal posts appears 
unusually narrow as you consider trying to tie the 
score by kicking a drop goal, just as that golf hole 
looks the size of a pin head when you have a four foot 
putt for a halved match on the eighteenth green. 

" I have it," you say, in faked calmness, " Even 
if I fail in my rush, the enemy will be compelled to 
punt from an awkward position, and we can make a 
fair catch and then tie the score by kicking a goal 
from placement." 



38 Football and How to Watch It 



" Well j as long as you have decided on a rush, which 
one are you going to use, and go ahead and do some- 
thing quickly, or the referee will penalize you two 
yards for delaying the game, and finally remember 
that of the three arms of attack, only one can 
be used in this last remaining try; therefore, theoreti- 
cally, the odds are two to one against your success- 
fully accomplishing whatever you attempt. Good 
luck to you! " 



DIAGRAMS 



Diagram I 



Defense Formafteft A 



X X P3 X X X 



OOOOQpO 

o ° 



Off ense. Formation — Close 



Diagram I 

THE offense in close formation are able to attack by 
rushing all points on the primary line of defense. 
For this reason the latter, unless they anticipate a 
forward pass, usually place seven men on the line 
of scrimmage to combat the weight of the impend- 
ing attack upon it. 

A player of rugged build is stationed from three to 
four yards back of the first line of defense, oppo- 
site the apex of the offensive formation. This 
player, known as a rush line halfback, supports the 
line from tackle to tackle and constitutes the second 
line of defense. The other halfbacks (usually 
termed wingbacks) are forced to take position suf- 
ficiently removed to be on equal terms with possible 
receivers of the forward pass. 

Owing to the predominating running strength of 
the offense on their left side, the defensive right 
wingback is called upon to support his end on all 
plays run in his direction. He, therefore, plays 
somewhat nearer the scrimmage line than the left 
wingback, whose main duty is to watch for a for- 
ward pass until he is certain that it is not forth- 
coming, after which he should assist his second line 
in preventing gains by rushing. The wing half- 
backs are known as the third line of defense. 

The remaining player, the fourth line of defense, is 
placed from twenty to thirty yards in the rear to 
cope with a possible quick kick or any pass or rush 
that reaches his territory. 

\ 



[41] 



Diagram II 



Defense For mutton 3 '. 

X X 



X 



S3 



M X X X X 2C 



ooooSoo 

O 

o 



Offense For mete on Open 



[42] 



Diagram II 



THE open formation is used primarily for kicking 
(the diagram is drawn for a left footed kicker). 
From it, however, are run plunges, slants and 
sweeps, the last type being so formidable as to cause 
a widening of the defense rush line. Forward passes 
of various kinds are also used, so that the defensive 
center is forced to fill the gap left vacant by the 
necessary changes in the backfield, caused by the 
threatened kick. 

Versus this open formation the defense is thus stretched 
in width and depth. If too far in either direction, 
the offense at once takes advantage of the weak 
spot. Both the offense and defense vary consider- 
ably from the diagram in accordance with the im- 
mediate circumstances. J 



[43] 



Diagram III 



Defense Forma ho n C 

x 



x s 



O OOOOOO 

o o 
o 

o- 



Offense Forme l~: on — Loose 



[44] 



Diagram III 



THE offense have loosened the distribution of their 
team laterally in an attempt to flank the defensive 
right tackle. By this arrangement also they have so 
grouped their backfield as to enable them the more 
easily to wend their way through the opposing line 
in order to receive forward passes. 

For this reason the defense, although sacrificing ma- 
terial strength on the primary line, are forced to 
withdraw their center rush who is thus able to assist 
his backfield not only against plays of this nature 
but also to lend much-needed support to the 
weakened scrimmage line. 

The third and fourth lines of defense remain un- 
changed. 



[45] 



Diagram IV 



Defense Tcrma!7bn Z) 



X 



X X „X X 

O OOOoOO 
O O 



Offense Th 7- ma fi eri — W/We 



[46] 



Diagram IV 



THE offense have now assumed a formation in which 
there remains so little rushing strength of a plung- 
ing nature, that the defense leave only the two 
guards and two tackles to combat with it. The 
rest of the team is so placed as to best cope with 
forward passes or wide runs. 

On account of the width of the offensive formation 
it is so difficult for the defensive backfield to cover 
laterally their respective zones, that the defensive 
ends are called upon not only to protect the flanks 
against sweeps, but also to guard flat zones on or 
about the extended line of scrimmage, into which 
the offense are apt to make a forward pass. 

To adequately accomplish these two important duties, 
they are compelled to take station some jive yards 
back of the scrimmage line. 

The backfield are thus allowed to maintain the same 
relative positions as shown in Diagram III. 



[47] 



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FOOTBALL 
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212 SUMMER STREET, BOSTON 



